Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 891 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Leger Fernandez), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this rule and in support of the underlying legislation.

House Resolution 891 provides for consideration of three measures: H.R. 5283, H.R. 5961, and S.J. Res. 32.

The rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5283, the Protecting our Communities from Failure to Secure the Border Act of 2023 under a structured rule, with 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Natural Resources or their respective designees, and provides one motion to recommit.

The rule makes in order two amendments.

Further, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5961, the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act under a structured rule, with 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs or their respective designees, and provides one motion to recommit.

The rule makes in order 12 amendments.

Finally, the rule provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 32, a resolution of Congressional disapproval related to a rule by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on small business lending under a closed rule, with 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services or their respective designees, and provides one motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, since President Joe Biden took office, there have been 7.8 million illegal immigrant encounters, 1.7 million known got-aways, and hundreds of individuals on the terrorist watch list have been stopped at our southern border.

Instead of fixing this issue, the Biden administration and far-left radical Democrats have placed illegal immigrants in our public schools, in our airports, our police stations, and now our Federal lands.

In New York City, the Biden administration and far-left New York Democrats are housing hundreds of illegal immigrants on National Park Service land.

H.R. 5283 revokes New York City's lease and prevents all national parks and Federal lands from becoming tent cities.

Additionally, H.R. 5861 blocks President Biden's $6 billion ransom gift to the Iranian regime.

As an Iraq war veteran, I have seen firsthand Iran's death and destruction in the Middle East. They are responsible for the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands, of Americans in the Middle East.

Since Hamas' attack on October 7 against our number one ally, Israel, Iranian-backed proxies have attacked U.S. forces over 70 times in Iraq and Syria.

This is unthinkable. What is more unthinkable is that on the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, the Biden administration announced $6 billion in sanctions relief from the number one sponsor of terrorism, Iran.

These billions in sanctions relief will undoubtedly lead to more terrorist attacks, more attacks on Americans, and more attacks on innocent Israelis. That is why House Republicans will take action to freeze the funding that the Biden administration wants to send to the Ayatollah.

Lastly, the underlying legislation we will consider this week will address the Biden administration's CFPB guidance that places burdensome regulations on lenders and small business.

This new CFPB regulation will result in more compliance costs, it will create privacy concerns for small businesses, and adds to the bureaucratic regulatory environment that hinders hardworking Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this rule, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, we are about to witness a real-time fact check here. My colleague from New Mexico is talking about the amount of closed rules. I would remind my friends across the aisle that in the 117th Congress-- and that is when they were deciding which rules were going to be run-- 58 of their rules out of 89 were closed rules; that is approximately 61 percent. Spare me the lecture on closed rules.

We also have one bill coming to the floor that has 12 separate amendments. It is kind of rich hearing that criticism. What is even richer is the criticism that we, as Republicans, have done nothing about the border. Absolutely laughable.

As the Biden administration and far-left radical Democrats have ignored the southern border crisis, we passed H.R. 2 twice. Twice we passed it. I would invite any Democrat that actually wants to do something about the southern border to just vote for this underlying legislation that we are running.

Again, House Republicans have passed the Secure the Border Act of 2023. I will remind my friends across the aisle that act restarts construction of the border wall. It deploys advanced technology to the southern border. It increases Border Patrol agents and their pay. It strengthens and protects those provisions for unaccompanied minor children. It protects them from human trafficking, and it ends the disastrous policy of catch and release. It ends the catch and release policies of the far-left Democrats.

We have passed the FY24 Homeland Security Act as well that provides-- wait for it--over $2 billion for the border wall. It provides almost a half million dollars for 22,000 Border Patrol agents and billions in funding to remove dangerous criminals who have entered the United States interior illegally.

Now, this week, House Republicans will block the Biden administration and far-left radical Democrats from turning our Federal lands into the illegal immigrant housing that the Biden administration and far-left Democrats in our cities have turned them into.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my good friend, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Van Duyne).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

It is time for another real-time fact check, Mr. Speaker. Homeland FY 2024 increased funding for border agents, $496 million for 22,000 new Border Patrol agents. That is the highest ever funded.

It is rich when I hear my colleagues from across the aisle talk about bills that are named one thing and do another. This is from a party that hung their entire term on the Inflation Reduction Act, which neither reduced inflation nor helped the economy. They later said that it was about preventing global warming. Again, it is rich coming from a party that often misnames their key legislation.

Let's talk about sanctuary cities because there is one thing that we can do. We can end sanctuary city policies. For years, Democrats have criticized House Republicans and President Trump for wanting to secure our border and protect our communities. They criticize us when we say that. When the crisis comes to their own backyard instead of a small rural town on the southern border, when it comes to their sanctuary cities, Democrats are the first ones to declare an emergency.

Look at Martha's Vineyard. When Ron DeSantis sent a few illegal immigrants to Martha's Vineyard, it took those woke yuppies less than 12 hours to call the National Guard to remove the illegal immigrants. I am willing to bet there were more ``Hate has no home here'' signs in the pristine, well-manicured yards at Martha's Vineyard

than actual illegal immigrants, but they still called the National Guard to remove those immigrants from Martha's Vineyard.

Don't just take my word for it. Take New York City Mayor Eric Adams'. Over 110,000 migrants have reached New York City. Mayor Adams decried: ``The national government has turned its back on New York City.''

When illegal migrants showed up in Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey declared a state of emergency and said the quiet part out loud: ``Massachusetts has stepped up to address what sadly has been a Federal crisis of inaction that is many years in the making.''

One thing is clear. Even Democrats now, in their sanctuary cities, are realizing that Biden has created this border crisis.

Democrats have ignored it for years. Republicans, thankfully, are finally stepping up and leading where they failed.

Any of my friends from across the aisle who want to help us, if they want to end this crisis, can vote for the rule today and vote for the underlying legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Langworthy), my good friend.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I don't know if my colleague from Pennsylvania was talking about the party as in 2003 or 2023 because the last time I checked, the Republicans are the party that supports the guys that shower after work not before.

The Chamber of Commerce has picked its side. It is with the Democrats. The billionaires that my friend from Pittsburgh was talking about--check how they are registered to vote. I am pretty sure--and I am willing to bet--that they all registered as Democrats, and far-left, extreme Democrats, by the way. All the Big Tech CEOs, Apple and Amazon, you name it, they are all far-left Democrats.

So this nostalgia for the day when Republicans supported big business and Democrats supported the little guy, it is just that, it is nostalgia. It is 2023, and we need to realize the new political realities.

When we are talking about numbers, I noticed that my friend from Pennsylvania didn't talk about the numbers relating to the destruction of Hamas during the over 3 minutes she had to address the Chamber. Let's talk about those numbers.

Hamas has killed over 1,500 Israelis since October 7, 2023. They have killed over 1,500 Israelis. They have injured over 6,900. Over 230 hostages were taken by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Over 9,500 rockets have been fired from Gaza toward Israel. There were 32 Americans killed and several Americans are still missing.

While we are throwing out numbers, let's not forget to talk about the destruction Hamas has brought.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, here is another real-time fact-check for you. Obama under ObamaCare took $700 billion from Medicare. You tell me who is trying to protect Medicare and Medicaid. It certainly wasn't the Obama administration when they were taking billions of dollars from the fund.

It is amazing the amount of time that my colleagues across the aisle talk about working families. Have they actually talked to working families?

When I am in my district talking to working families, not the woke yuppies

that my friends across the aisle represent, but actually working Americans, they are talking about inflation. Let's look at the numbers.

When President Biden took office, President Trump had inflation where it was just 1.4 percent. Since then, prices have risen by 17 percent. By the way, real wages are going down, hurting working families and working Americans.

Prices have risen 17 percent and real wages are down. Credit card, auto loan, and consumer loan delinquencies are at the highest levels since the Great Recession. Just this morning, CBS News--the conservative news bash--reported that Americans need an extra $11,400 today just to afford the basics when compared to when President Trump was in office.

You tell me who is looking out for the working American. Something tells me it is not extreme, far-left Democrats that are looking out for their woke, affluent suburbs. All the while, the President has been misleading the American people.

Last week, our 81-year-old leader claimed Thanksgiving dinner was the fourth cheapest ever on record. Of course, that was false. Maybe it is his age showing, I don't know, but the truth is that it was the second most expensive Thanksgiving dinner ever.

If you want to talk about an all-time high, last year's inflation under the President's watch is an all-time high. It is clear, Bidenomics is broken economics. Democrats do not care about working Americans. Republicans do.

Let's talk about some more Bidenomics statistics. With the economy adding just 1,500 jobs in October, coming in below expectations, this is the second worst jobs report of the Biden Presidency.

The unemployment rate rose to 3.9 percent in October where the labor force participation rate actually declined. The average middle-class household has lost over $33,000 in real wealth in just this past year. That hurts people that are driving to work, driving to construction sites, and driving to work shifts at diners. It is not hurting the woke, yuppie base that the Democrats represent sitting at home on Zoom all day, having their EVs charging in their garage.

The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage is now at the highest level since 2000. This is bringing a disastrous effect to the housing market. Homeownership has been deemed unaffordable in 99 percent of the country. There are 73 percent of Americans that believe the economy is in bad shape, and more voters trust Republicans over Democrats to handle inflation, according to a recent AP-NORC poll.

Mr. Speaker, 58 percent of the Americans believe the economy is getting worse, and 69 percent believe the country is on the wrong track, according to an Economist/YouGov poll. That is not exactly a far-right polling outfit.

Half of Americans say their financial situation is worsening, according to a recent Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll. Biden's approval rating on the economy is at just 32 percent, the lowest of his Presidency, according to CNBC's All-American Economic Survey.

It is very clear that the American people know that Biden and far- left Democrats are hurting not only their job prospects, not only their ability to afford a home, but the entire economy and their ability just to afford the basics.

Mr. Speaker, I question any time a Democrat tells me they are watching out for the working American.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, it is time for another real-time fact check. By the way, let's not conflate interest rates with inflation. They are two totally separate things.

Let's talk about inflation. My friend from New Mexico said that inflation started during COVID. We know that when President Trump left office, inflation was at 1.4 percent. In June 2022, when Biden was in office, it was 9.1 percent. That is almost a record high. Yes, inflation is slightly less than it was, coming down from the all-time high.

Nevertheless, Mr. Speaker, facts don't care about your feelings, and they don't care about your political persuasion. Try arguing the difference between 9.1 percent inflation and 1.4 percent inflation. Good luck with that.

We all know who is to blame: Biden and far-left, radical Democrats.

Also, to talk about how great the economy is and unemployment, the unemployment rate actually rose in October to 3.9 percent while the labor force participation rate declined. It is actually worse than 3.9 percent if you are reading into that statistic, Mr. Speaker.

Again, this is quite amazing. Not only has President Biden totally botched the economy and Bidenomics, but he has repeatedly botched foreign affairs. Obama's own Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, once said that Joe Biden has managed to get every single foreign policy decision wrong in his entire career.

One of the big mistakes that Biden made, when we talk about foreign affairs, was when he decided to delist the Houthis as a terrorist organization. Here is a quick history lesson. In 2021, due to pressure from the Iranian regime, and for whatever reason the Biden administration is fixated on appeasing the Iranian regime, the Iranian regime was putting pressure on the Biden administration to delist the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization. For those who don't know, the Houthis are an Iranian-backed proxy group that wreaks havoc across the Middle East.

In recent weeks, the Houthis have carried out drone and missile attacks against Israel. They have attacked and seized commercial vessels in the Red Sea. They have fired rockets at the U.S. Navy, including the USS Mason, the USS Thomas Hudner, and the USS Kearny.

It is past time for the Biden administration to get tough with Iran and designate the Houthis as the foreign terrorist organization that they are.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I can't believe that, once again, I am here on the House floor explaining to my friends across the aisle that there is a difference between interest rates and inflation. They are two separate things. They shouldn't be conflated. I am shocked that I have to explain this to Members who are elected to Congress. It is quite amazing.

It is very clear, the difference between inflation and interest rates.

There is another thing that is very clear that Democrats don't seem to understand, and that is that President Biden's foreign policy agenda benefits our foreign adversaries and not the American people. From the failed withdrawal from Afghanistan to the $6 billion in sanctions relief to Iran, to the draining of our Strategic Petroleum Reserve and also the fast-tracking of Putin's Nord Stream 2 project, it has been disastrous.

Mr. Speaker, look at the invasion of Ukraine, a terrorist safe haven in Afghanistan, an emboldened China, and a destabilized Middle East. This legislation before us will protect our servicemembers in the Middle East. It will place additional pressure on the Iranian regime.

Additionally, we have another Biden-fueled disaster right here at home at our southern border. The White House now wants to exacerbate this crisis further by placing tent cities on Federal lands.

In Pennsylvania, our Commonwealth is home to several national parks, including the Flight 93 National Memorial, Fort Necessity National Battlefield, and Friendship Hill National Historic Site, all of which are in my congressional district. These are places for Americans and their families, not camps for those who broke our laws and are here illegally.

The underlying legislation will protect our national parks from the Biden administration's and the Democrats' radical, far-left immigration policies.

Finally, the Biden administration's attempt to burden our local lenders with extra costs would do irreparable harm to our Nation's 33 million small businesses. During a time when Bidenomics is failing the American people, it is critical we support efforts to make the American Dream more achievable, not insert partisan politics into small business lending. That is why the House will nullify this far-left, radical rulemaking by the Biden administration and Democrats.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the previous question and ``yes'' on the rule.

The material previously referred to by Ms. Leger Fernandez is as follows:

An Amendment to H. Res. 891 Offered by Ms. Leger Fernandez of New

Mexico

At the end of the resolution, add the following:

Sec. 4. Immediately upon adoption of this resolution, the

House shall proceed to the consideration in the House of the

resolution (H. Res. 178) affirming the House of

Representatives' commitment to protect and strengthen Social

Security and Medicare. The resolution shall be considered as

read. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on

the resolution and preamble to adoption without intervening

motion or demand for division of the question except one hour

of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and

ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means or

their respective designees.

Sec. 5. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not apply to the

consideration of H. Res. 178.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Nicole Galkovich, who will take the Oath of Allegiance and become a citizen of the United States of America on November 28, 2023.

Nicole moved from her hometown of Ashdod, Israel, to the United States in 2017, when she was 19 years old. She began her journey with her father, leaving behind her mother and grandmother in Israel. After settling in Houston, Texas, she sought out new educational opportunities to integrate with her new American community. As a testament to her hard work and academic achievement, Nicole earned an associate degree at San Jacinto College.

In 2022, Nicole moved to Washington County and found a community that welcomed her with open arms and a job that provided fulfillment and happiness. She now works as a warranty clerk at a local car dealership, where her dedication, work ethic, and perseverance brighten the lives of those around her.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 14th Congressional District, I congratulate Ms. Galkovich on becoming a United States citizen. I am confident that her contributions to the Washington County community will continue to enrich the lives of her friends and neighbors. As she embarks on this new journey, I wish her continued happiness and success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Burrell School District for being recognized by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation as one of the best communities for music education in 2023.

The NAMM Foundation celebrates schools and school districts by recognizing their ability to train and educate the next generation of musicians. 830 school districts, including Burrell School District, were recognized for the outstanding efforts of their teachers, administrators, parents, and students.

According to NAMM, over 3 million children did not have access to proper music education in 2019. Every student deserves a chance to learn and develop their artistic capabilities, and Burrell School District's continuous efforts undoubtedly help our children in Southwest Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 14th Congressional District, I congratulate Burrell School District on this momentous occasion.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Somerset Area School District for being recognized by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation as one of the best communities for music education in 2023.

The NAMM Foundation celebrates schools and school districts by recognizing their ability to train and educate the next generation of musicians. 830 school districts, including Somerset Area School District, were recognized for the outstanding efforts of their teachers, administrators, parents, and students.

According to NAMM, over 3 million children did not have access to proper music education in 2019. Every student deserves a chance to learn and develop their artistic capabilities, and Somerset Area School District's continuous efforts undoubtedly help our children in Southwest Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 14th Congressional District, I congratulate Somerset Area School District on this momentous occasion.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Canon-McMillan School District for being recognized by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation as one of the best communities for music education in 2023.

The NAMM Foundation celebrates schools and school districts by recognizing their ability to train and educate the next generation of musicians. 830 school districts, including Canon-McMillan School District, were recognized for the outstanding efforts of their teachers, administrators, parents, and students.

According to NAMM, over 3 million children did not have access to proper music education in 2019. Every student deserves a chance to learn and develop their artistic capabilities, and Canon-McMillan School District's continuous efforts undoubtedly help our children in Southwest Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 14th Congressional District, I congratulate Canon-McMillan School District on this momentous occasion.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Trinity Area School District for being recognized by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation as one of the best communities for music education in 2023.

The NAMM Foundation celebrates schools and school districts by recognizing their ability to train and educate the next generation of musicians. 830 school districts, including Trinity Area School District, were recognized for the outstanding efforts of their teachers, administrators, parents, and students.

According to NAMM, over 3 million children did not have access to proper music education in 2019. Every student deserves a chance to learn and develop their artistic capabilities, and Trinity Area School District's continuous efforts undoubtedly help our children in Southwest Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 14th Congressional District, I congratulate Trinity Area School District on this momentous occasion.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Greater Latrobe School District for being recognized by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation as one of the best communities for music education in 2023.

The NAMM Foundation celebrates schools and school districts by recognizing their ability to train and educate the next generation of musicians. 830 school districts, including Greater Latrobe School District, were recognized for the outstanding efforts of their teachers, administrators, parents, and students.

According to NAMM, over 3 million children did not have access to proper music education in 2019. Every student deserves a chance to learn and develop their artistic capabilities, and Greater Latrobe School District's continuous efforts undoubtedly help our children in Southwest Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 14th Congressional District, I congratulate Greater Latrobe School District on this momentous occasion.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Kiski Area School District for being recognized by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation as one of the best communities for music education in 2023.

The NAMM Foundation celebrates schools and school districts by recognizing their ability

to train and educate the next generation of musicians, 830 school districts, including Kiski Area School District, were recognized for the outstanding efforts of their teachers, administrators, parents, and students.

According to NAMM, over 3 million children did not have access to proper music education in 2019. Every student deserves a chance to learn and develop their artistic capabilities, and Kiski Area School District's continuous efforts undoubtedly help our children in Southwest Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 14th Congressional District, I congratulate Kiski Area School District on this momentous occasion.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Hempfield Area School District

for being recognized by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation as one of the best communities for music education in 2023.

The NAMM Foundation celebrates schools and school districts by recognizing their ability to train and educate the next generation of musicians. 830 school districts, including Hempfield Area School District, were recognized for the outstanding efforts of their teachers, administrators, parents, and students.

According to NAMM, over 3 million children did not have access to proper music education in 2019. Every student deserves a chance to learn and develop their artistic capabilities, and Hempfield Area School District's continuous efforts undoubtedly help our children in Southwest Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 14th Congressional District, I congratulate Hempfield Area School District on this momentous occasion.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Mount Pleasant Area School District for being recognized by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation as one of the best communities for music education in 2023.

The NAMM Foundation celebrates schools and school districts by recognizing their ability to train and educate the next generation of musicians. 830 school districts, including Mount Pleasant Area School District, were recognized for the outstanding efforts of their teachers, administrators, parents, and students.

According to NAMM, over 3 million children did not have access to proper music education in 2019. Every student deserves a chance to learn and develop their artistic capabilities, and Mount Pleasant Area School District's continuous efforts undoubtedly help our children in Southwest Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 14th Congressional District, I congratulate Mount Pleasant Area School District on this momentous occasion.

Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 756 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Madam Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Scanlon), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

General Leave

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this rule and in support of the underlying legislation.

House Resolution 756 provides for consideration of H.R. 4394, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2024, under a structured rule, with 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations or their respective designees and provides one motion to recommit.

The rule makes in order 60 amendments. Further, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4364, the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2024, under a closed rule, with 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations or their respective designees and provides for one motion to recommit.

Madam Speaker, since President Biden took office, gas prices are up 60 percent; natural gas prices are up 25 percent; coal prices are up 70 percent; and electricity prices are up 24 percent.

This should raise alarms on the other side of the aisle. I don't mean pulling fire alarms. This should get the attention of the other side.

H.R. 4364 restores American energy dominance. It invests in our national security and delivers fiscal responsibility for the American taxpayer.

As a Navy veteran, I am proud to support H.R. 4394, which provides $32.51 billion in Defense spending. That is an increase of more than $1 billion over FY23 enacted levels.

This legislation continues efforts to modernize the Nation's nuclear weapon stockpile, supports Columbia-class submarine reactor development and helps counter our adversaries.

Additionally, H.R. 4394 prioritizes energy security and economic competitiveness by investing $200 million in critical mineral production and supporting domestic uranium enrichment capabilities.

Finally, this legislation rescinds $5.58 billion of absolutely reckless spending that was wasted by the previous majority. It terminates Biden's waters of the United States rule and it cuts the dangerous, radical, and extreme Green New Deal programs.

Madam Speaker, additionally, H.R. 4364 ensures that Members of Congress can address the needs of their constituents while prioritizing deficit reduction.

H.R. 4364 reduces spending by 4.5 percent, provides Capitol police officers with an increase of $46 million over last year, and protects House networks by banning the purchase of telecommunications equipment made in China.

As we work to pass single-subject appropriations bills, I am proud to support the underlying legislation which upholds the House Republicans' commitment to the American people.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this rule, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I have to share a story about Secretary Granholm because you just can't make up this stuff. NPR reported this story, which makes it even more rich.

Secretary Granholm took a 4-day EV propaganda road trip on the taxpayers' dime that turned into an absolute nightmare for the Secretary. At a stop in Georgia, there was only one available EV charging station for the Secretary's motorcade. What did she do? Well, they had the Department of Energy advance team--who were traveling in gas-powered vehicles, I might

add--they had that advance team go in and reserve a spot while others waited in long lines, battling the summer heat.

Rightfully, a family that was traveling with a baby actually called the police on Secretary Granholm and her advance team.

Earlier this year, Granholm stated, ``We can all learn from what China is doing,'' regarding climate policies. Let's just talk about what China is doing because that is about as laughable as the story about her failed propaganda trip.

China emits 30 percent of the world's global emissions. They emit more than the developed world combined. They emit more than the United States, the EU, and Japan combined. By far, they are the largest polluter in the world.

My friends across the aisle will say nothing to criticize China, by the way.

China's coal-fired power plants generate more than 23 percent of all forms of U.S. energy combined, and they are allowed to increase their emissions through 2030 under the laughable Paris climate accord. We could all laugh at this if it wasn't for the devastating effects that Democrats' climate policy has on the working class in America and for our competitive edge on our number one adversary on the world stage, and that is China.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Let me be clear about something. You can't be anti-China and pro-EV. You can't be anti-China and pro-Green New Deal. These things are completely incompatible.

Let me explain. Throughout the Biden Presidency, his administration has been dead set on advancing the foolish, reckless, and extreme Green New Deal agenda. This path forward has propped up our adversaries such as China, which we now rely on for critical minerals to build the expensive EVs that liberals like to parade around in in their affluent suburban neighborhoods. Biden's officials openly acknowledge that fact.

During an Appropriations subcommittee hearing earlier this year, the Interior Secretary admitted that the Biden administration's Green New Deal policies actually make our Nation more reliant on China. She admitted it at the hearing.

Do you know what? She is right.

China accounts for 63 percent of the world's rare earth mining, 85 percent of rare earth processing, and 92 percent of rare earth magnet production. This plays a massive role in producing 70 percent of the global EV battery supply.

While Democrats cheer on these foreign green efforts, China is busy emitting more greenhouse gas than the U.S. and all other developed nations combined.

It has never been more clear. When President Biden and Democrats push for their green agenda, what they are really doing is empowering the Chinese Communist Party, and they are doing it at the expense of the American worker.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

It is quite the intellectual yoga exercise to somehow say that Republicans are encouraging Russian gas. It is the exact opposite.

Let's think about it. Do you know why there are Russian oil tankers in the harbor in Boston? It is because far-left radical activists, namely the entire Democratic Party, have decided to cancel a pipeline that should have been running from Philadelphia into New England called the Constitution Pipeline that would have brought clean natural gas from Pennsylvania into New England so the residents there have cheap, abundant natural gas and are not forced to buy dirty petroleum from Russian.

Again, the intellectual gymnastics and yoga are quite amazing.

Let's talk about some other far-left, radical policies of my friends across the aisle and how it has made us more dependent on Russia and more dependent on China.

For one, they have a new list of regulations on coal-fired power plants, making it harder for us to burn our clean coal here in the United States and forcing coal producers to ship coal to places like China, where they don't use scrubbers, by the way. Liberals across the aisle ended the Keystone XL pipeline, coincidentally killing tens of thousands of union jobs that they purport to support. They also canceled Federal oil and gas leasing on Federal land.

I ask you, which policies make us more dependent on Russia, ours or the radical left's?

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Langworthy), my good friend and fellow member of the Rules Committee.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Talking more about the Democratic fascination with helping China, let's go back to 2022. In 2022, gas prices hit an all-time record high. Instead of reversing the failed policies of the Biden administration that actually led to gas prices increasing at that rate, instead of doing that, Biden sold 180 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to temporarily lower gas prices in a cheap political gimmick.

What did this do? This drained our emergency energy supply to its lowest level since the 1980s, the lowest level since I was born.

Who benefited the most from this? Well, it wasn't the American worker. It was China. According to the Department of Energy, China's state refining company bought 2 million barrels of Strategic Petroleum Reserve oil in 2022.

Instead of powering China's economy, House Republicans are passing legislation this week that actually lowers energy costs, that ends radical Green New Deal programs, and restores our energy independence.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, it is clear, President Biden's energy policies benefit our foreign adversaries, not the American worker.

The Biden administration has made our vehicle market heavily dependent on communist China. The administration has also cut deals with Iran. I might remind everybody that Iran is a state sponsor of terror. In fact, the Biden administration released $6 billion in oil revenue that will fund terrorist operations against the United States and our number one ally in the Middle East, Israel.

Recently, the President drained our strategic oil reserve to the lowest levels. To what end? To fuel China's economy.

Earlier this year, FERC Commissioner Mark Christie predicted in a Senate hearing that our energy grid is: ``. . . heading for a very catastrophic situation. . . . ''

Why is this? It is because of the far left's rush to foolish green policies. This is the wrong path to go down.

This is why I am proud to support the underlying legislation which restores the Strategic Petroleum Reserves. It also helps our national security mission, increases funding for our ports and inland waterways, like the locks and dams that run through my district, and it invests in our Nation's security.

After the previous majority spent $3 trillion outside of the appropriations process, this legislation actually reins in billions of dollars to reduce our out-of-control national debt.

Under House Republicans, we have passed legislation to lower energy costs for the American family, reformed our permitting process, allowed the Mountain Valley pipeline to finish construction, and preserved vehicle choice in the marketplace. This legislation before us keeps up that commitment to the American people.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the previous question and ``yes'' on the rule.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 741 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Madam Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), my good friend, pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

General Leave

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that

all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this rule and in support of the underlying legislation. House Resolution 741 provides for consideration of H.R. 5525, the Spending Reduction and Border Security Act, under a closed rule, with 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations or their respective designees, and provides one motion to recommit.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to support the underlying legislation, which fully funds programs for our Nation's veterans, servicemembers, and the Department of Homeland Security while reducing other discretionary spending.

Additionally, H.R. 5525 secures our southern border by resuming construction of the wall, increases the number of Border Patrol agents, and reforms our asylum laws to disincentivize mass illegal immigration.

Under the President's disastrous immigration policies, over 7 million illegal immigrants have entered our country, while nearly 50,000 pounds of fentanyl have flooded across our border. That is enough to kill every single person on the entire planet. This crisis must end. It will only end through efforts of House Republicans.

Finally, this legislation includes an important provision authorized by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Huizenga), which establishes a bipartisan fiscal commission that addresses our out-of-control debt. While the Senate figures out what type of clothes to wear, House Republicans have put forth a plan which averts a government shutdown, restores fiscal responsibility, and addresses the Biden border crisis.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this rule, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, if my friend from Massachusetts is worried about energy prices in Boston, there is an easy solution. You can import liquefied natural gas from Pennsylvania, which is cheap and abundant.

Unfortunately, Democrats in New England and New York have refused to build the Constitution Pipeline, which would actually bring LNG into New England. Instead, people in Boston are paying higher prices for the petroleum that is coming in from tankers from--guess where--Russia. Again, just complete circular logic from my friends across the aisle.

Now, let's talk about not only the high energy prices that the middle and working class have to pay because of Democratic policies but also how real wages are down.

Inflation-adjusted average hourly wages were $11.39 when Biden took office. They are now at $11.04, meaning that Americans have seen a 3.1 percent pay cut under Biden. You might think that it is only 3.1 percent, but let's talk about inflation.

Prices have risen 17.4 percent since President Biden took office. That is roughly a 20 percent cut, so who is really working for the middle class and looking out for the working class? It is not President Biden.

You also have another crisis, which is totally ignored, and that is the immigration crisis. Before I yield to my good friend from New York, let's just talk about New York.

In New York, the immigration crisis has led to over 100,000 migrant arrivals in 2022, which the mayor says is destroying the city. New York City Mayor Eric Adams said: ``We are about to experience a financial tsunami that I don't think the city has ever experienced.''

The mayor also said: ``The national government has turned its back on New York City.''

Well, Mayor, it is not the national government that turned its back on you. It is the Democratic President and the Democrats in Congress.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Lawler).

Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from New York.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Lawler), for the purpose of rebuttal.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Spartz), my good friend.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Huizenga), my good friend.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Gaetz).

Mr. Speaker, just remember that the Senate has passed zero appropriations bills.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Lesko).

Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Last week, our national debt reached a record high of--wait for it-- $33 trillion. This is a result of the White House and a result of the previous Democrat-controlled Congress spending trillions of dollars outside the appropriations process.

Let's remember, under Democratic control, we saw the highest inflation in over 40 years, the highest interest rates in over 20 years, and a 17 percent increase in consumer prices. That is why this underlying legislation establishes a bipartisan fiscal commission to get our Nation on the right course.

This is just one of the many manufactured crises caused by Democrats' far-left policies. Look at our southern border. At the southern border, President Biden's immigration policies caused a flood of illegal immigrants into our Nation and illicit fentanyl into our communities.

Just last week, our Nation set an all-time record for illegal crossings in a single year. Over 25,000 pounds of fentanyl have also been trafficked across our southern border this year. To put that into perspective, this is enough to kill every single American citizen.

Sadly, too many towns across my home State of Pennsylvania have felt the consequences of the Democrats' pro-open border agenda. In Pennsylvania alone, there were over 5,000 reported overdose deaths in 2022. Not only is the White House doing nothing to address this crisis, but the Democrats' pro-crime agenda actually encourages it.

If you doubt me on that, let's just take a look at what happened in Pittsburgh recently. In Pittsburgh, law enforcement caught a drug trafficker with $2 million worth of fentanyl. To put that into perspective, that is enough to kill 35 percent of the population in Pennsylvania. Then, to make matters worse, a far-left, radical judge released that criminal on the streets the very next day, and he has since fled the State.

This is absolutely ridiculous. House Republicans are the only leaders in Washington willing to do something about this. Thanks to Republicans and our Commitment to America, the underlying legislation will reduce our exploding national debt, avert a government shutdown, and secure our southern border.

For those reasons, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the previous question and ``yes'' on the rule.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate Fayette County, Pennsylvania, on its 240th anniversary and its place as an integral part of our community.

Fayette County was founded on September 26, 1783, and named after Marquis de Lafayette, a Revolutionary War hero who served alongside President George Washington. The county was carved out of southern Westmoreland County on land with an already rich and storied heritage. Fayette County represented a new frontier for Pennsylvania and America in its early days. Its people persevered through the hardships of early frontier life to build a better life for themselves and their families. The county would also become a crucial point along the newly created National Road.

The story of Fayette County and its people is an important and unique part of our region's history. The county served as an early steamboat manufacturing hub. The area quickly became one of the earliest industrial areas in America. After building the Pittsburgh Railroad, the local industry shifted from steamboat manufacturing and glass production to coal mining.

Today, Fayette County is a regional agriculture hub, with over 23 percent of the county devoted to farmland. Additionally, attractions such as Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater House, Fort Necessity National Battlefield, and Ohiopyle State Park make Fayette County one of the best places to visit and live in Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, the story of Fayette County, is distinctively American and important to Pennsylvania. On behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 14th Congressional District, I congratulate its citizens on this remarkable milestone and look forward to building on this storied history over the next 240 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the congregation of Tent Presbyterian Church in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, as it celebrates the church's 250th anniversary.

Tent Presbyterian is an important institution in the Uniontown community, where its members bring the service and testimony of God into thousands of lives. Originally formed in 1773, the church was first led by Reverend James Powers, who inspired the congregation to have faith even when faced with the immense difficulties of early colonial life. Reverend Powers originally preached under a tent in the western Pennsylvania woods until the physical building was constructed 18 years after the church's founding.

Two hundred and fifty years later, Tent Presbyterian is currently led by Reverend Jeff Smith, who continues the legacy of service and faith started by Reverend Powers and built upon by many others. Reverend Smith has led his congregation faithfully over the past 4 years, dutifully bringing the Gospel's message into Fayette County. The church's work strengthens and enriches the community, providing spiritual guidance to many searching hearts.

Mr. Speaker, Tent Presbyterian Church is an important part of our region's heritage and history. On behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 14th Congressional District, I congratulate its leadership and congregation on their 250th anniversary and thank them for their service to southwestern Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the city of Monessen, Pennsylvania, in celebration of its 125th anniversary.

Prior to its founding, the area consisted of 8 farms. However, Civil War veteran James M. Schoonmaker and other great Americans, saw the promise of an industrial city on the Monongahela River. Thus, Schoonmaker convinced famed industrialist William Donner to set up a tin plate mill within the new community. Thanks to the American Tin Plate Company's success, the community grew rapidly, and the borough of Monessen became incorporated on September 3, 1898.

Throughout the early 20th century, Monessen's community played active roles in the suffrage and labor movements, events surrounding Prohibition, and in the industrial efforts powering American operations in World War I and World War II. In 1921, the city also had a multitude of nationalities and mirrored the ethnicities of the Pittsburgh region, serving as a microcosm of America as a whole. At its peak, the city's population reached over 20,000 residents. Today, the town is still an important part of the southwestern Pennsylvania community. Its residents exemplify the values of hard work, dedication to one's community, and good citizenship.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 14th Congressional District, I congratulate the City of Monessen on its 125th anniversary and applaud their determination to build a better community for themselves and their children. I am confident that Monessen's people will strive for and achieve an even more successful next 125 years.